Listen Closer

Posted on:27 April 2014

By:Irene

TEDxFlourCity is excited to present the theme for our main event this year: Listen Closer. We chose it for two reasons.

First, TEDxFlourCity 2014 has moved to Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music. Listen Closer is a nod to our new home and the power of live music. Our stage will feature local musicians and a new take on listening to, and sharing the experience of, musical performance.

Second, for all that we love in Rochester, it is still separated. We see this in schools and neighborhoods of concentrated poverty. The newly elected Mayor Lovely Warren has brought a renewed focus on building a community that embraces all of its members and we are taking her lead. This year we’ve made the concentrated effort to find voices that often don’t have a stage to speak to these issues and seek an audience from all communities.

Listen Closer is a call to not just hear but listen to our speakers and challenge assumptions, pay attention to the voices outside your immediate community, and learn how to contribute. Of course, we will showcase all the multidisciplinary TED themes--from technology to humanities--and remain a focal point for inspiration and excitement in Rochester but with a renewed aim to create community.

To join us at our main event, please fill out our application here. Apply by May 18th for early consideration. Check back next week as we start to reveal our list of speakers!